Scuderia Toro Rosso tried to convince Juan Pablo Montoya to skip NASCAR, according to a source close to the former Formula One winner.

The source was quoted by Spanish Marca journalist Marco Canseco as admitting that Montoya, who left McLaren Mercedes mid-season to drive for Chip Ganassi's NASCAR team, received an approach from the Faenza based squad.

"Yes, he received some interest from Toro Rosso," the source reportedly said, "but at the moment (Juan Pablo) is like a kid in a candy store."

It is not known when Montoya was approached by the part Gerhard Berger-owned Toro Rosso team, but it has yet to name its 2007 driver line-up. 
The latest driver linked with a seat for 2007 is Tiago Monteiro, having lost his Spyker drive last week to rookie Adrian Sutil.

Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais, meanwhile, is in the frame for 2008.

The source said Montoya, 31, is far from regretting his decision to join the popular American series. "He is completely focused on NASCAR and all they want him to do is drive," the source added.

Tonio Liuzzi says he was not impressed by Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais' recent test for Toro Rosso.

Frenchman Bourdais, 27, lapped quicker than Scott Speed at Jerez earlier this month but lagged a few tenths behind the pace of Liuzzi; the Faenza squad's other 2006 regular.

Bourdais is not likely to occupy a seat next year at Toro Rosso, but the jointly Gerhard Berger-owned team is notably the last to confirm its '07 driver line-up.

Spyker Tiago Monteiro is reportedly a contender for a seat.

But referring to Bourdais, Liuzzi, 25, told the Italian magazine Autosprint: "(He) probably thought he would get here and humble everyone. 


"And the (lap time gap at the test) would have been wider without a traction control problem on the new tyres," Liuzzi insisted.

Despite Berger's recent insistence that Bourdais is only in the frame for 2008, meanwhile, Liuzzi expressed uncertainty about the status of his contract for next season.

He said: "My contract specifies driving in F1, but with Red Bull you never know. I think I did well this season, but my future is not up to me."

Honda Racing's senior technical director has urged the team not to be afraid of making mistakes in the future - because that is the only way the team will progress.

Shuhei Nakamoto believes that a new philosophy of experiment - instilled into the team since he was promoted in June - paid dividends in helping the Japanese car manufacturer turn around what had until then been a 'disappointing campaign.

And he wants the team's younger staff members to continue speaking up with fresh ideas - rather than be afraid to put forward concepts for fear of failure.

"We flattened the organisation so that everyone working in (each) department can talk freely about their ideas and opinions," said Nakamoto about the changes he put in place this year.

"As long as an idea is theoretically correct and considered useful, we will discuss it - even if it comes from an inexperienced staff member. But they have to take responsibility for the ideas they provide. That is the Honda way.

"Another thing I always tell the young staff is that they shouldn't be afraid of making mistakes. The failures will eventually improve our know-how.

"The important thing is to use that know-how correctly to make the next step forward. I kept telling them this.

"As a result, young people started to speak up and contribute more, which I believe was reflected in the gradual improvement in our performance.

"The lap time difference between us and the top teams in the middle part of the season was reduced by half at the end of the season."

He added: "I am happy about this, because it provides proof that the Honda Spirit of 'never be afraid, never give up' is penetrated thoroughly into the team.

"What Honda disapproves of is 'no action, no error'. I want all our staff to always keep the philosophy in mind."

Nakamoto took over the technical department in a mid-season team reshuffle that saw the departure of Geoff Willis from the Japanese outfit.